Mercedes-Benz Vans is introducing a turnkey “ship-thru” upfitting program for its Metris mid-size van and for Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner full-size Sprinter vans. The OEM is also rolling out a value-priced Metris Worker model, as well as expanding its Worker lineup for the Sprinter.

Mercedes-Benz Vans has boosted the available gross vehicle weight rating of its European Sprinter by 990 pounds, to 5.5 metric tons or 12,122 pounds. An increase is being considered for North American vans, said a spokesman at the builder's U.S. headquarters.

DHL Express has begun its first Safe Driving Rodeo competition that puts 180 of its U.S. couriers to the test for 112 workdays to promote DHL’s safety culture by having drivers engage in friendly head-to-head competition.

Mercedes-Benz is strongly considering offering a compact van in the U.S. and will add a new standard safety feature to the 2015 Sprinter van, executives said during a March 25 visit to Bobit Business Media.

A lineup of new full-size commercial vans from Chrysler/Ram, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz will deliver significantly higher residual value that their counterparts from previous generations, according to ALG’s latest industry projection.

Mercedes-Benz executives picked Düsseldorf, Germany, the source of the Sprinter van, to present their extensively revised 2014 model for North America. It gets fresh styling, a new diesel and automatic transmission, and more accident-avoidance features.

Mercedes Benz unveiled its new 2014-MY Sprinter Van, which the automaker said has a new design, is more economical, and more environmentally friendly. The company said this redesign comes after seven years of the current-generation Sprinter.